1. AP Psychology: Human Development
Adulthood

2. Periods of Adulthood Emerging Adulthood 18-25 Years
Mid-twenties to thirties
Period 1: Early Adulthood
40-65
Period 2: Middle Adulthood
65 & Older
Period 3: Late Adulthood

3. Physical Changes Early Adulthood Middle Adulthood Late Adulthood
Deterioration & slowing of body systems (digestion/blood-flow to the brain decreases)
Need for more frequent naps and bedtimes tend to get earlier.
Middle Adulthood
Loss of sensory sharpness
Reduction in fertility, bone mass, risk of heart disease increases
Early Adulthood
Physical growth continues
Physical “prime of life.”

4. Adulthood Cognitive Abilities
Cognitive abilities continue to improve until late adulthood
Late adulthood is marked by decline in certain cognitive abilities

5. Early & Middle Adulthood
Cognitive Abilities
Early & Middle Adulthood
Until about age 60, adults gain new info, learn new skills & refine old skills.
Perform best on complex tasks (reasoning, memory, vocab).
Good at making rational decisions/relating logic to actions, emotions, etc.
Thinking becomes dialectical (understand knowledge is relative, not absolute).

6. Late Adulthood Cognitive Abilities
Experience helps older adults deal with situations more effectively.
Ability to think deeply and wisely about life.
May develop wisdom: achieving balance & knowing about the meaning & conduct of life.

7. Decline in Cognitive Abilities
Decline doesn’t occur until after age 65
Affected Abilities:
Fast manipulation of ideas/symbols
Active thinking/reasoning
Sheer Mental Effort
Difficulty performing unfamiliar tasks due to amount of information to sift through
Memory Difficulties:
Episodic memory most affected
Semantic memory remains intact.

8. Decline in Cognitive Abilities
Factors that MAINTAIN cognitive abilities throughout adulthood:
Genetics
DO NOT USE tobacco or alcohol
Healthy diet
Education, income and occupation
Stimulating environment
Mental exercise

9. Decline in Cognitive Abilities
Greatest threat to cognitive abilities in late adulthood is Alzheimer’s Disease
Course of the disease:
Emotionally “flat”
Disoriented & Mentally Vacant
Women & well-educated deteriorate more slowly
3% of population will suffer from Alzheimer’s by 75.

11. Alive Inside While viewing the documentary answer the following:
Why are musical memories so strong in humans?
If music seems to help those with forms of dementia why isn’t it more widely used as part of treatment?
What capability does the cerebral cortex have at 6 months of development?
What does the aging community need for the best quality care/treatment?

12. Social Development In Adulthood
Follow adolescence (18-25 years)
Life exploration takes place
Emerging Adulthood
Psychological well being improves
Most resolve the stage by 21
Resolving Erikson’s “Identity Crisis”
Influenced by interest, gender, family background, and previous work experience.
Choosing a Career Path

13. Social Development in Adulthood
Middle Adulthood
Modify Relationships
Generativity vs. Stagnation
Late Adulthood
Retirement adjustments
Awareness of death/life review
Ego vs. Ego Despair
Terminal Drop